Fr. Joseph Getz, O.S.A

Father Joseph Getz, O.S.A. By Father Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial 70th Anniversary

On June 5, 2021, Fr. Joseph Getz, O.S.A., the senior-most member of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, observed the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. This milestone marks seven decades of generous service both to the faithful, as well as to his brother religious. This latter exercise of ministry continues still at St. Thomas Monastery where Fr. Getz has been stationed these past eleven years.

Fr. Getz was ordained to the priesthood at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. by John M. McNamara, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. Bishop McNamara holds the distinction of having ordained some 2,000 men to the priesthood during his 33 years as bishop. Joseph J. Getz was born on July 14, 1924, in Atlantic City, NJ. He is the son of the late Peter F. Getz, an architect, and the late Eleanor A. Herbert Getz, whose family includes two other sons and three daughters. Fr. Getz was baptized at Holy Spirit Church, Atlantic City, NJ and attended St. Malachy Parish School, and LaSalle High School, both in Philadelphia, PA. In 1942, he became a postulant of the Order at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, and was received as a novice in September 1943. After a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1944 and solemn vows on September 10, 1947. He then attended Villanova College from 1944 to 1948, where he received a BA in Philosophy and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, until completion in 1952.

The newly ordained friar’s first assignment was to Our Lady of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, as assistant novice master. This two-year assignment was followed by five years as associate pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, NY. The Jamaica parish was considered a special training ground for many young priests of the province with its large parish school and engaging chaplaincy to nearby Queens General Hospital. In 1959, he began what was to become a twelve-year appointment as associate at St. Denis Parish, Havertown, PA. Here, among his various duties, he was especially active with youth programs and with the reorganization and embellishment of the extensive parish cemetery. At the conclusion of his assignment to St. Denis, a farewell reception in Fr. Getz’s honor, brought 3,000 people together to bid him thanks and farewell, so appreciative were they for his years of generous service to the parish.

of Priesthood

From 1971 to 1981 Fr. Getz served as pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Cambridge, NY. Here he built the new friary. He then served as pastor at St. Augustine Parish, Philadelphia, PA, the province’s first foundation, and in 1983, was asked to coordinate the care of the sick and elderly of the province with an assignment to St. Thomas Monastery and its health care facility. He remained in this position for ten years, during four of which he also taught religion at the Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr, PA.

In 1993, Fr. Getz returned to parochial ministry as pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Cambridge, NY. In 1997 he was assigned to Assumption/St. Paul Parish, Mechanicville, NY, and in 2005 to St. Augustine Parish, Troy, NY. During the period from 1997 to 2010 he assisted at St. Joseph Parish, New Windsor, NY, and at St. John Parish, Goshen, NY, and spent much time visiting local nursing homes and hospitals. In July of 2010 Fr. Getz returned to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery, as a very active member of the community, taking his turn celebrating the community’s daily Mass and bringing communion to friars unable to attend.

During recent months, while visits to the monastery had to be restricted due to COVID-19 and the second floor Health Care Unit was isolated for the safety of infirm or bed-ridden friars, it was Fr. Getz who celebrated Mass daily in this unit and brought the sacraments to those there in need, continuing to practice what he once said was his “ardent desire to save souls, to teach the young and to care for the elderly.”

Congratulations Fr. Getz! Thank you for your ministry and example. Ad multos annos!